Zohran Mamdani Backs Kohinoor Return To India
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he would encourage Britain’s King Charles to return the Kohinoor diamond to India, reviving debate over one of the most contested symbols of British colonial rule.
Zohran Mamdani On Kohinoor Return
Mamdani made the remarks during King Charles’ visit to New York, saying that if he had a separate conversation with the British monarch, he would probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor diamond.
The comments came before a ceremony commemorating the victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. King Charles later spoke with Mamdani at the event, though there was no confirmation on whether the Kohinoor issue was raised.
Kohinoor Diamond India Demand
India has repeatedly demanded the return of the 105-carat Kohinoor, calling it a valuable piece of art with deep roots in the country’s history. The diamond remains widely viewed in India as a symbol of colonial exploitation and historical injustice.
The Kohinoor was taken after the British East India Company annexed Punjab in 1849. It was later presented to Queen Victoria in 1850 and became part of Britain’s crown jewels.
King Charles US Visit
The diamond has passed through several rulers and empires, including Mughal emperors, Iranian shahs, Afghan emirs and Sikh maharajas, before coming under British possession.
Mamdani’s remarks add a fresh political voice to the long-running demand for the diamond’s return. The issue continues to carry emotional and cultural significance in India, where colonial-era artefacts remain a sensitive subject more than seven decades after independence.
